Carrying and supporting apparatus



0a. 22, 1935. E, CUWNG 2,018,606:

CARRYING AND SUPPORTING APPARATUS Filed Jari. 11, 1934 asheets-sheet 1"Oct. 22, 1935 E. M. CUMINGS CARRYING AND SUPPORTING APPARATUS Filed Jan.11, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Edward/7f. Cumiws Oct. 22, 1935. E, M. CUMINGSCARRYING AND SUPPORTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 11, 19543m, 56 flEdn wrdfll. Cuminys Patented Oct. 22, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE 3 Claims.

' means for carrying various accessories and for supporting accessoryportions of the sportsmans clothing during the time that he is engagedin the sport. It is an object of this invention to so distribute theweight of the apparatus and the articles being supported and carriedthat they will rest in the easiest possible manner upon the wearer andpermit him to have the greatest freedom of movement. It is a furtherobject to so arrange the various carrying and supporting parts that theywill not interfere with each other nor obstruct each others use.

It is an object of this invention to provide a means whereby a gamereceptacle may be carried in alternative positions, and to provide ameans for preventing the carrier from sagging in either of the alternatepositions. It is an object that this carrying and supporting structureshall provide a compartment adapted to keep certain articles such ascigarettes and matches for instance from moisture, and that thiscompartment shall be so positioned as to be least likely to come incontact with the moisture.

It is an object also to provide a means for suspending a landing net orthe like in the carrying and supporting structure in such a manner thatit will not interfere with access to the carrying portion of theapparatus, nor will it be interfered with by that portion, and that themeans for suspending the landing net shall be of such nature as toenable the net to be used without being detached from the carrying andsupporting structure.

It is an object to provide a plurality of compartments in which articlesof various sizes may 1 be carried, and to arrange these compartments insuch manner that they will not interfere the one with the other, and sothat they will distribute the weight of the articles being carried insuch a manner as to be the least burden on the wearer.

With the above and other objects in view, one embodiment of thisinvention is as illustrated in the accompanying drawings and set forthin the following description by way of example.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus constructed in accordancewith this invention.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a section taken along the line 3--3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is a section taken along the line 4-4 of- Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a section of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged view illustrating a detail of the supportingstructure inside of the apparatus.

Figure 7 is a front view illustrating the apparatus in place on the bodyof a wearer, with various articles being carried thereby.

As illustrated in the drawings, this invention includes a split-skirtstructure, an upper nonelasticsuspension structure, an inner lowerresilient suspension means, and an outer lower non-elastic suspensionmeans.

The split skirt structure includes a series of apron-like sectionsconstituting carriers and a waist belt element having the upper portionsof said sections secured thereto. The skirt sections are free ofconnection to each other from their 20 lower ends to the bottom edge oithe belt.

The belt element, indicated at I, of the skirt structure, is preferablycomposed of a relatively stiff heavy material such as a heavy fabric.The element I may be fastened at the front by any 25 convenient meanssuch as a strap 2 secured to one end of the element I by means of rivets3 or the like and a buckle 4 adapted to engage the hole 5 in the strap 2secured to the other end of the element I.. There are four skirtsections 30 consisting of a combined front and side section 6, a frontsection I a short side section 8, and the rear section 9-. The sections6 and I are arranged on opposite sides of the front of element I when itis in closed position as indicated in Figure 1,. the section 6 also atone side of element I, and the said sections 6, I are secured at theirupper ends to element I by means of stitching In or the like. Thesection 8 is somewhat shorter than the other sections and is dis- 0posed' over one hip, being secured to the belt along. its upper edge inthe same manner as the sections 6 and I. The front carrier section 6extends around the side andrearwardly substantaken along the line 5-5tially to one end of the section 9. This rear .5 7

section extends across the rear of the device'and is secured to elementI in the manner previously indicated with reference to the othersections.

Secured to the belt adjacent the' front ends thereof by means ofstitching I I or the like, and 50 to the rear of element I by similarstitching I2 or the like are the right and left siispenders I3 and I4respectively forming nelments of the non-elastic suspensionstruetfire.These suspenders are positioned tgiextend over the respective wshoulders of the wearer, and for the purpose of holding them in properposition there is provided a cross member I across the shoulder portionat the rear,'this shoulder member being secured being numbered I1 and I8respectively. The

strap I3 or I4 as at 22;

' rings 23.

shoulder pieces are formed of relatively stiif heavy material preferablysomewhat heavier than either the beltor the shoulder straps, so that theshoulder straps will be prevented from cutting 7 into or otherwiseinjuring the shoulder of the wearer. Theseshoulder pieces may be securedin place beneath the shoulder straps by means of stitching I9 or thelike. On the front portion of these shoulder straps there may beprovided an attaching ring 20 secured in place by means of a shortlength of strap 2| riveted to the'shoulder Any necessary small articlesmay bertied to or otherwise suspended from these rings 20. V r

Secured to element I at the lower ends of one of the shoulder straps,preferably the left shoulder strap I4, there are a pair of attachingrings 23 similar to the attaching rings 20 and secured in place on theouter face of element I by means of short straps 24 and rivets 25. Thepurpose of these rings 23 is to detachably receive the snap fasteners 26on the ends of the, strap 21. This strap member 21 is made in two partsjoined together at approximately the center of the strap member by meansof a buckle "permanently secured to one portion and detachably securedto the other portion. This strap member as illustrated in Figure 7 ofthe drawings is for the purpose of supporting a creel 29. provided witha lid 30 hinged thereto in the customary manner, or to carry any othergame receptacle which may be found convenient. The rings 23 and strapmember 21 provide theouter lower non-elastic suspension means.

The position of the creel as illustrated in Figure 7 is over the hip ofthe wearer and is the natural position for the creel to assume when thestrap member 21 is secured to the attaching Howevenmany sportsmen preferto have the creel or other game receptacle positioned further'totherear. In order to make this possible, there are provided alternativeor optional attaching rings 3| secured to the belt at the lower end ofthe shoulder strap I3 on the outer surface of element I, and secured toelement to the left of the lower front end of the shoulder strap I4.These attaching rings are secured toelement I by means of'short straps32 and rivets 33 in much the same manner as the attaching rings 20 and23. It will be seen that when the strap member 21 is secured to theattaching rings 3| instead of to the attaching rings 23, the position ofthe creel or other game receptacle will be changed'from that illustratedin' Figure 7 to a position more in the rear of the wearer. In thisposition, however, it is noted that'ithe forward attaching ring 3| is ata point spaced 'a considerable distance from the lower front end of theshoulder strap I4. The nonelastic upper suspension structureinot onlyineludes the suspenders |3, |4 but also includes an auxiliary suspender'or supporting strap for a purpose now to be described. In order toprevent any saggingof element I at the point where this forward ring 3|is attached, there is provided an auxiliary supporting itrap fl 1secured. to vthe I4 at. its upper end substantially at the forwardextremity of the shoulder piece I8 by means of stitching 35. At itslower end, this auxiliary supporting strap 34 is secured to the insideface of element I substantially at the point 4 where the forwardattaching ring 3| is connected, by'means of stitching 36. or the like.This, it will be seen, will positively support the carrier apparatus atthe point where the ring 3| would exert its pull, and would prevent anysagging of '10 the ring 3| at that point when the game recepi tacle 29is secured to the ring 3|."

The construction of the inner lower resilient suspension means will nowbe referred to. Secured to the inner surface of element I substan l5tially at each of the lower ends of the right shoulder strap I3 there isan attaching ring 31. These shoulder strap attaching rings 31 aresecured by means of short in the usual manner with ring portions 42adapted to receive an end of the extensible member 2 and the ends ofthis extensible or elastic member are secured through the rings 42 bymeans of fastening elements 43 forming loops at the ends of the elasticelement. Intermediate its ends, this elastic element is provided with athird snap 30 fastener 44. The elastic member is merely passed 7 throughthe ring 45 of this snap fastener so that the same will be slidablymounted on the elastic member. The purpose of this elastic member andthe snap fastener slidably mounted intermediate its ends isfor thesuspension of a landing net 46 or the like having its handle 41 provided with suitable means to which the snap fastener 44 may be attached.Y Secured to the inner face of element I by means of rivets 48 or thelike substantially at the lower rear ends of the respective shoulderstraps there is a pair of short strap members 49 adapted to serve assupporters for the rear portion of a pair of waders or the like. Each ofthese strap members 49 is formed with a plurality of buttonholes 50adapted to adjustably receive. the buttons usually provided upon therear of the waders for supporting the same. T

Secured to the front ends of each of the shoul- 50 der pieces I! and I8and extending downwardly therefrom inside of element I and carrierapparatus are a pair of supporting straps 5|. These straps 5| aresecured between the shoulder straps and the shoulder pieces in anyconvenient mannor and are provided at their lowerends with openings52'adapted to cooperate with buckles 53 for the purpose of securingtheisuspenders 54 to the lower ends of the strap 5|. It will be seenthat each of the suspenders 54 consists of two strap portions extendingdownwardly at an angle to each other, and each of these portions beingprovided with an opening 55 adjacent the lower end thereof for thepurpose of receiving the supporting buttons customarily provided frontof waders or the like.

Referring back now to the skirt sections mentioned, reference is firsthad to the right front section 6. 'By reference to Figure 5. it will beseen that this section consists of a'rear wall 56770 upon the U as toform a pair of pockets side by side of substantially equal size. It isnoted that this apronlike section is positioned substantially over thepoint where the landing net 46 would be secured to the elastic elementM. It is a matter of note, however, that this elastic element ispositioned beneath or within the interior of the carrier apparatus sothat it will not interfere with the pockets of the section 6 norobstruct access thereto. However, when the net 46 is in use it isapparent that the section 6 will be pulled outwardly and articles withinthe pockets of this section and particularly within the pocket at therearward end thereof would tend to be thrown out. For the purpose ofpreventing this from occurring, this pocket is provided with a flap 6|adapted to close the same. In order to provide space for additionalsmall articles, the flap Bl has a separate member 62 secured to thefront face thereof at 63 so as to form a pair of pockets 64 and 65respectively within the flap member 6i. Within the pocket at the forwardend of this section there is provided an intermediate wall 66 secured tothe rear wall 55 in such a manner as to form two small pockets 6'! and68 respectively. A long narrow pocket is secured in a substantiallyupright position at 69 on: the front surface of this carrier section.

With reference to the skirt section I, this section is likewise formedwith a rear or inner wall 69' and an outer wall ill secured together atH to form a pocket between. It is noted, however, that this pocket wouldfall beneath the position of the strap member 21 so that it would bedifiicult to provide a flap therefor which could be opened when thestrap member 21 is in position. In order to overcome this difiiculty,there has been: formed a flap of triangular shape as illustrated at 12so that it may be opened without substantial interference from the strapmember 21. Likewise, the shape of this flap member 12 permits of accessto the substantial upright elongated pocket 13 secured to the front wallof this skirt section 1.

With reference to the skirt section 8, it is noted in Figure 5 that thissection consists not only of the rear wall 14 and the front wall 15 andthe flap 16 for closing the same, but that each of these walls isprovided with a lining Ti of rubberized silk or other moisture-proofmaterial. In addition, it is noted that this pocket or skirt section ismade somewhat shorter than the other skirt sections and is positionedabove the position of .a creel attached to the front member 21. Thus, byvirtue of its position above the creel, it will be further protectedfrom the moisture when the sportsman is wading in a stream or the like.This pocket is for the purpose of keeping any articles which might bedesired moisture-free such as for instance tobacco, matches, etc.

The rear skirt section of this apparatus consists as illustrated inFigure 4 of an inner wall 18 and an outer wall 19. These inner and outerwalls are; joined together by means of accordion pleating sides andbottom so that this carrier section may be made of use in carrying thesomewhat bulky as well as heavy articles. This pocket may be closed bymeans of a flap 8| and a suitable button or the like 82. It is notedthat the position of this skirt section upon the wearers body and withrespect to the other portions of the carrying and supporting apparatusis such that the maximum weight can be carried in this section. It iswell known that in a device of this general type a much greater weightmay be carried upon the back of the wearer than on portions of theapparatus in front of him.

As for element I, it is particularly noteworthy that as illustrated inthe drawings it consists of the relatively heavy and stiff belt member83 5 which is positioned adjacent the wearers body, and of therelatively flexible member 84 secured to the outer face thereof. It isto be noted that the upper and lower edges of the member 84 are foldedupon themselves before they are stitched 1 0 to the member 83. The lowerends of the shoulder straps and of the auxiliary supporting strap 34 areinserted between these two members before they are secured together bymeans such as the stitching 85. At their lower edges, these two 1B beltmembers receive the upper edges of the carrier sections between them andthey are then secured together by means of stitching such as 85.

From the foregoing description it will be ap- 2o:

preciated that a very advantageous carrying and supporting apparatus hasbeen provided by this invention. First of all, there is the split-skirtstructure comprising the belt and the various sections, the pockets inthe various sections them- 25 selves being so arranged as to properlydistribute the load upon the wearer and upon the said structure and soas not to interfere with the other parts of the apparatus. Then theshoulder straps are provided and are formed in such a 30 manner as. tobear most easily upon the shoulders of the wearer and to support elementl at five points, two at its back and three at its front. The points atthe back and the points at the front substantially equally spaced fromeach other. 85 Means is provided for supporting the creel or other gamereceptacle in optional positions depending upon the desires of thesportsman, and provision is made for preventing the sagging of element Iwhen the creel is secured in one of its 40 optional positions, in whichposition it would have caused sagging were it not for the provision madeby this invention. In addition to the above, this invention provides adevice whereby a landing net or the like may be suspended from thesplit- 45 skirt structure in a position where it will be out of thewearers way and will not interfere in any way with or obstruct access tothe pockets of the carrier member, but in which the landing net will bebrought into instant use without the ne- 50 cessity for detaching itfrom the split-skirt structure and without interference with the otherportions of the split-skirt structure. The apparatus also supplies asupporting means for waders or the like, which supporting means arepositioned 55 so as not to interfere with or obstruct access to thepockets or other portions of the split-skirt structure, and yet whichare so positioned as to transmit the strain and stress placed upon themin a most direct manner to the shoulders of the O wearer.

It is to be understood that the foregoing is by way of illustration andexample only and is not to be taken as in any way limiting the spirit orthe scope of this invention. Such limitation is 65 to be by the priorart and by the terms of the appended claims only. i

What I claim is:

1. In a carrying and supporting apparatus adapted to be worn by afisherman, a split-skirt 70 structure formed of a belt element forencompassing the waist of the wearer, a cpnfbined front and side sectionfor opposing one side and a part of the front of the wearer below saidelement. a front sectionioropposing the remaining 75 together, saidsections being free of connection throughout from the bottom edge ofsaid element to the lower ends thereof, each of said sections 7 beingformed with means to constitute a carrier,

and a shoulder suspension structure for said splitskirt structureconnected at three spaced points to the front and attwo spaced points tothe back a of said element, comprising a bracingstrap extending from oneof said front'spaced points in proximity to the side of, the wearer tothe sus;

pension" structure on the upper front portion thereofp r 2. In acarrying and supporting apparatus adapted to be worn bya fisherman, asplit-skirt structure formed of a combined: front and side section foropposing one side'and a part of the front of one side of the body of awearer below the waist and being provided with a pair of permanentlyopen pockets and a normally closed pocket, a front section for opposingthe remaining part of the front of the body of the wearer below thewaist and being provided witha normally closed pocket and a permanentlyopen pocket. 8. side section for opposing the other side of the body ofthe wearer below the waist and being provided with a normally closedpocket, a backsection for opposing the backof the wearer below the waistand being provided with a normally closed pocket, a belt element forencompassing the waist of the wearer and means for securing the upperportions of said sections to said element, and said sections being freeof connection 10 throughout from the bottom edge of said element to thelower ends thereof.

3. In a carrying and supporting apparatus adapted to be worn by afisherman, a split-skirt structure including a belt having depending 15therefrom a series of apron-like sections provided with means to formcarriers, an upper non-elastic suspension structure anchored to a pairof spaced points of the back and three spaced points of the front of thebelt, a depending lower outer non- 20 elastic suspension means,attaching elements connected to the ends of said last means, and aplurality of grouped attaching elements on the outer surface of saidbelt adapted to be selectively engaged by said first-mentioned attachingelements :5 according to the varying distribution of theload imposedupon said carriers to approximate a desired balance between said loadand the load adapted to be carried by said non-elastic suspension means.

EDWARD M. CUMINGS.

